Heat conversion apparatus

Abstract

A heat conversion apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a duct through which cooling fluid passes; a first thermoelectric module disposed on a first surface of the duct; a second thermoelectric module disposed on a second surface, which is disposed in parallel to the first surface, of the duct; and a gas guide member disposed above a third surface disposed between the first surface and the second surface of the duct so as to be spaced from the third surface, wherein the gas guide member includes one end thereof coming in contact with the first thermoelectric module, the other end thereof coming in contact with the second thermoelectric module, and an extended part for connecting the one end and the other end, and the gas guide member can have a form in which the distance thereof from the third surface gradually increases toward the center between the one end and the other end.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A power generation apparatus comprising:
 a duct through which a first fluid passes; 
 a first thermoelectric module disposed on a first surface of the duct; 
 a second thermoelectric module disposed on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the duct; and 
 a guide member disposed on an end of the duct spaced apart from a third surface of the duct, wherein the third surface is disposed between the first surface and the second surface, the guide member faces an inlet of a second fluid, 
 wherein the guide member includes: 
 a first end proximate to the first thermoelectric module; 
 a second end proximate to the second thermoelectric module; and 
 an extension part disposed between and connecting the first end to the second end; 
 wherein the extension part has a shape in which a distance from the extension part to the third surface is increased in a direction toward a center of the guide member between the first and second ends; 
 a first auxiliary guide member disposed on the first end of the guide member such that a first opening is formed between the first auxiliary guide member and the first end of the guide member; 
 a second auxiliary guide member is disposed on the second end of the guide member such that a second opening is formed between the second auxiliary guide member and the second end of the guide member; 
 wherein the first and second openings allow a second fluid which moves along a surface of the extension part facing away from the third surface to pass through the first and second openings. 
 
     
     
       2. The power generation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: the first auxiliary guide member and the second auxiliary guide member are symmetrically formed about the center of the guide member. 
     
     
       3. The power generation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first auxiliary guide member is parallel to the first end. 
     
     
       4. The power generation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein: each of the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements, heat radiation substrates disposed on the thermoelectric elements, and heat sinks disposed on the heat radiation substrates; and each thermoelectric element of the plurality of thermoelectric elements includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a semiconductor device disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
       5. The power generation apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each of the first and second thermoelectric modules comprise an aluminum substrate positioned between the plurality of thermoelectric elements and the duct, wherein the aluminum substrate is bonded to the duct using a thermal interface material (TIM). 
     
     
       6. The power generation apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first end of the guide member is disposed on the heat sink of the first thermoelectric module, and the second end of the guide member is disposed on the heat sink of the second thermoelectric module. 
     
     
       7. The power generation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an airgap is formed between the guide member and the third surface. 
     
     
       8. The power generation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an insulating member is disposed between the guide member and the third surface. 
     
     
       9. The power generation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module are coupled to the duct using a screw. 
     
     
       10. The power generation apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member disposed between the guide member and the third surface.